Closure for a container neck and a measuring cup detachably secured in said neck by said closure



y 3, 1951 w. NUMBERS 2,559,168

CLOSURE FOR A cowmmzn NECK AND A msunmc CUP DETACHABLY SECURED IN SAID NECK BY SAID CLOSURE Filed July 5, 1946 FIG. 3

WILLIAM NUMBERS M. a'iwv4w'u ATTORNEYS Patented July 3, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLOSURE FOR A CONTAINER NECK AND A MEASURING CUP DETACHABLY SECURED IN SAID NECK BY SAID CLOSURE William Numbers, Huntington, N. Y.

Application July 5, 1946, Serial No. 681,513

2 Claims. 1

This invention relates to measuring devices and more particularly to measuring devices for use within any container whereby a given or predetermined quantity of liquid, powder or granular solid may be readily obtainable therefrom.

In using various materials such as, for example, medicines, it is often desirable to obtain only a certain amount of the material from theco'ntainer. To eliminate annoyance and the risk of wasting the material, it is desirable that the device for measuring the required amount of material be associated with the lid or top of the container holding it. The varied amounts of material which may be required at a single time and the varied uses to which it is put make the use of a single measuring device attached to the top of the container impractical.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of this invention to provide a measuring device which is readily insertable in and withdrawable from a. container top of given size.

Another object of this invention is to provide a series of measuring or containing devices which may be readily and successively associated with the top of a container.

A feature of this invention relates to the disclike. asher integral with and supporting the liquid easuring receptacle wherein the said washer is threaded to mesh with the threads of an intemally threaded top of given diameter.

Another feature of this invention relates to the disc-like washer threadably insertable within the container top wherein said washer serves the dual purpose of supporting the measuring device and sealing the container when the top is substantially tightly screwed thereon.

Another feature of this invention relates to the novel organization, arrangement. and association of parts which cooperate to produce an improved measuring device for obtaining a predetermined amount of material from a given container.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means whereby useful tools and implements such as measuring cups for liquids, powders and granular solids, medicine droppers, liquid measuring tubes, solid and brush applicators for applying liquids, eye cups, automatic liquid measuring devices, liquid or powder storage chambers or the like may be inserted and carried by the inner threads of bottle caps.

Other objects, features and advantages not particularly enumerated are apparent to those skilled in the art as will be evident from the following descriptions.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view in exploded form illustrating the principles of this invention.

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 3 is an elevational view of another modification of the invention.

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of a measuring device forming another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 5 is an elevational view, partly in section. of an eye-cup adapted for use in accordance with another form of the invention, and

Fig. 6 is a sectional elevational view of a storage chamber for use in accordance with another form of the invention.

Similar numerals designate similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 1. the medicine bottle ll! represents any container having threads II on the periphery of its top portion. Knurled top I2 is threaded so as to be readily threadably engaged with the threads ll. Washer I3 is the conventional type washer which is pressed or fastened into the recess in the top I! and when that top is tightly screwed onto the bottle Ill, it serves to seal that bottle.

The measuring receptacle H is of any desired diameter which will allow its insertion into the bottle Ill. Scale l5 thereon is graduated to indicate any desired quantities, such as, for example minim, drops, tablespoonsful. teaspoonsful, et cetera. Receptacle I4 is made integral with disc-like washer l6 and the material used to form these parts may be any suitable material which will not chemically react with the contents of the bottle l0. Washers I6 is thin relative to the washer I3 and is threaded around its periphery to threadably engage cap It. When washer l6 carrying measuring receptacle II is threadably engaged with top I! and that top tightly screwed onto the bottle Hi, the compressive force exerted against washer it causes that washer to seal the bottle Ill. It is obvious, theretore. that the material used in forming this washer should, in addition to the above requirements, be sufiiciently resilient to provide the type seal required.

It is seen that this invention has the further advantage that conventional removable tops re-' quire no adaptation prior to their reception of washer l5 since that insertion is made either with washer l3 in its normal position within top I! or with that washer removed therefrom.

when it is desired to obtain a certain amount of liquid, powder or granular solid from bottle Ill.

- a,ssa,1cs

the top I! carrying the receptacle ll isremovedfromthebottleandinvertedandthe proper amount of material poured into the measuring receptacle ll through its open end II. The desired quantity of material is then obtained from the measuring receptacle by utilifing the scale Ii thereon.

Figure2showsanothertypeorapplicator i havlngan open end I0 for receiving and discharging the liquid. Scale I5 and wamer l0 areasdescribedinconnectionwlthl'igurel. Opening II through the wall of applicator II is located intermediate the scale I5 and washer It and provides convenient means for obtaining a certain definite amount of liquid in or from the applicator. Applicator i8 is suspended in a liquid container and the liquid seeks its level in ap cator ll pushing the air out through opening 20. To obtain a definite amount of liquid the top of the container is removed and withdrawn suiil ciently from the container to enable one to place aiinger overopening II. Alioithelinuidinapplicatorllatthattimeremainsthereinbecause oiwell-knowncapillaryactionandtheexcessis discharged throughtheend ilbythe flnser irom and replacing it on the opening 2|. When scale i5 indicates that applicator is containsthedesiredamountoiliquiditmaybedischarged therefrom by removing the finger from opening II. Inthis form oitheinventionitwili bescenthatthedisc-iikeportionliisstrengthenedby'an annularthickenedportionll.

Figure 3 shows a dropper-type applicator 2i according to the invention. End 22 of applicator 2| provides means whereby liquid is received into the a plicator and therefrom. The operation and use or this applicator is identical withthatdescribedinconnectionwithFlaureZ enceptthattheliquidmaybereadilydischarged inquantitiesoioneormoredropsatatime. 'i'hisisbecauseoi'therelativelysmalicrossectional area of end 2!.

l 'lgureishcwsadevlcecithisinventiontor automatically providing the same predetermined amount 01' liquid, powder or granular material eachtimeitisused. Measuringreceptaclellis provided with an opening 2 located relatively close to the washer I6. I! oppmitely locatedonthewallotreceptacleflrelativetoopeningflisnearertothebottomoidevicellthan.

itistowasher ltorthetopoi thatreceptacle. In other words, the portion it above opening ll hasavolumegreaterthanthato'tporticnllbelowthatopening. Portionllhasavolumewhich containsthedesiredquantityotliquidsuehaa amount of liquid contained by portion, is ob '13 immediately below 115. While lip 28 facilitates the final ob I of the predetermined quantity of liquid, it is obvious that it is not a w feature 01 this invention. It is equal- 1y obvious that the construction 0! receptacle It may be such that volume 2! equals any desired volume. It will also be apparent that powders and/or granular solids may be measured by this device in the same manner as above described for quids.

Figure 5 shows an eye-cup 29 associated with washer it and thereby adapted to the invention as described herein. In this form of the invention it will be seen that the disc-like portion i6 is 01 thicker construction in order to provide a more sturdy base for the relatively heavy eye cup.

In the form of the invention disclosed in Figure ii there is shown a storage chamber Ii which is especially useful where two associated materials are to be carried in the same container but not in contact with each other. The chamber is provided with an opening 32 at. its upper end and the disc-like member is here altered by thickening the outer periphery as indicated at a.

While there have been here described preferred embodiments of this invention, it is understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Whatisclaimedasnewanddeslredtobe secured by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. A device of the character described including; in combination. a container having an exterloriy threaded neck, an interiorly threaded cap ble with said neck. a comprwible washer mounted in said cap, a receptacle having a closed and an open end. and a relatively thin flange otfleidhlematerialextendingoutwardiyfrom the elcsedendotihereceptacletheperipheryotsaid flange forming a thread of a single convolution blewiththethreadsinsaideap.

2.Adeviceoithecharacterdescribedinciuding.incombination.acontainer having anexteriorly threaded neck, an interiorly threaded cap m ewithsaidnechacompressible washer mountedinsaid cap. areceptacle havingaclosed andanopenend.andsnintegrallyiormedrelstiveiythiniiangeoi flexible materialextending outwardlyiromtheclosedendoithereceptacle. theperipheryotmidilangei'ormingathread oi a single convolution le with the threads in said cap.

WILLIAM NUMBERS.

Lii'if :4 038mm Thei'olhwlngreierencesareofreeordinthe illeoithispatent:

.URI'I'EDSIA'I'ESPA'IEN'I'S Number 

